Does Rogie Vachon Belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Rogie Vachon was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016, almost 35 years after he retired, to some controversy.

To some, he was one of the best goalies on the planet at his peak. To others, his career stats just aren’t good enough.

So, does he belong? Listen to us talk about him here:

Hasek, Belfour Vachon

Rogie Vachon’s Career:

  • NHL: 1966-82; 16 seasons, 11 as a starter, 3 as a 1A
  • Totals:
    • 353W (21st All Time, 5th at his retirement)
    • 293L(18th All Time, 5th at his retirement)
    • 128 Others (10th All Time, 7th at his retirement)
    • 51 Shutouts (17th All Time at his retirement)
    • 46,206 Minutes (17th All Time, 7th at his retirement) in 
    • 795 Games (18th Goalie, 7th at his retirement);
    • 144.4 PS (15th Goalie, 5th at his retirement)
    • 95 Goals Saved Above Average
  • Averages:
    • 3.00 GAA
    • .896 SV%
  • Undrafted
  • Era: Of the 11 goalies to play in at least 410 games between 1966 and 1982, Vachon is
    • 2nd in Wins
    • 1st in Losses
    • 2nd in Others
    • 2nd in Goals Against
    • 2nd in Shots Against
    • 2nd in Saves
    • 6th in Save Percentage
    • 8th in GAA
    • 4th in Shutouts
    • 2nd in Minutes
    • 2nd in Games Played
    • 2nd in GPS
  • 82-game average: 22-18-1, 3 SO
  • 3-year peak (1974-77): 29-19-10, 6 SO; .907 SV%, 2.69 GAA; 25.37 GSAA
  • Playoffs:
    • 23W (16th All Time at his retirement)
    • 23L (16th at his retirement)
    • .907 SV% (11th at his retirement)
    • 2.78 GAA (25th at his retirement)
    • 2 SO
    • 2,868 (18th at his retirement) in 
    • 48 Games (16th at his retirement)
  • Adjusted:
    • 2.75 GAA
    • .907 SV%
  • Trades:

Rogie Vachon’s Accomplishments:

  • Top 5 in Hart voting (‘75, ‘77)
  • Vezina (‘68)
  • Top Player:
    • Top 5 Player (by PS) three times (‘70, ‘75, ‘77)
    • Top 10 Player six times (‘73, ‘74, ‘78)
    • Top 5 Goalie (by GPS) eight times (‘70, ‘71, ‘73, ‘74, ‘75, ‘77, ‘78, ‘81)
    • Top 10 Goalie eleven times (‘67, ‘76, ‘80)
  • Wins:
    • Leader-boards:
      • Top 5 in Wins eight times
      • Top 10 thirteen times (tied 9th most ever)
  • Shutouts:
    • Leader-boards:
      • Top 5 in Shutouts seven times
      • Top 10 twelve times (tied 9th most ever)
    • Totals:
      • 5 shutouts three times
  • Shots Against:
    • Top 5 seven times (1 of only 7 goalies ever)
    • Top 10 ten times (1 of only 9 goalies ever)
  • Saves:
    • Total Saves:
      • Top 5 seven times (1 of only 7 goalies ever)
      • Top 10 ten times (tied 10th most ever)
    • Percentage:
      • Leader-boards:
        • Led league in Save Percentage once
        • Top 10 six times
      • Over .920 once
  • Goals Against:
    • GAA:
      • Leader-boards:
        • Top 5 once
        • Top 10 nine times
      • Averages:
        • Under 2.25 once
        • Under 2.5 three times
    • GSAA:
      • Leaderboards:
        • Led the league once
        • Top 5 four times
        • Top 10 seven times
      • Single-season totals:
        • +60 once (1 of only 4 goalies ever [all occurrences between 1974 and 1976, it’s worth noting)
        • +20 twice
  • Minutes:
    • Leader-boards:
      • Top 5 in Minutes seven times
      • Top 10 in Minutes eleven times
    • Single-season totals:
      • +4,000 twice
  • All Star:
    • 2nd Team All Star twice
    • 3 All Star Game appearances
  • Adjusted Peak:
    • Save Percentage: .917% (20th All Time)
    • Goals Vs. Average: 27th All Time

Rogie Vachon’s Great Teams:

  • NHL:
    • Starter (led playoffs in SV% – 2nd best playoff SV% ever??? – and GAA but didn’t play in 7 games) on one Champion (‘69 Canadiens)
    • Starter (led playoffs in Wins) on one Runner Up (‘67 Canadiens)
    • Backup (1 GP) on one Champion (‘68 Canadiens)
  • Canada Cup:
    • MVP and Tournament All Star (led tournament in Wins, Minutes, Shutouts, SV% and GAA) on one Champion (‘76 Canada)

3 thoughts on “Does Rogie Vachon Belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame?”

  1. He was better than Cheevers. Cheevers shouldn’t be in. Vachon does. Peter Mahovlich and
    J.C. Tremblay as well

    1. Cheevers definitely shouldn’t be in.

      Hope to get to Tremblay soon. We need to do a “should have won the Conn Smythe” episode

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